The former Marine has
been named as Konstandinos Erik Scurfield, 25, from Barnsley. He
was killed near the city of Qamishli on the border with
Turkey.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights earlier told AFP a
European citizen had been killed fighting with Kurdish People’s
Protection Units (YPG) on Monday.

A British pro-Kurdish activist reportedly informed Scurfield’s
family of his death.

Ex-US soldier Jordan Matson, 28, who joined the Kurdish People's
Protection Units last September, wrote on Facebook: “We were
together from his first day here and you couldn't ask for a more
disciplined warrior.

“Kosta as we call him was from the United Kingdom and was
born a Greek citizen. He served both in the Greek army and as a
British Royal Marine commando up until he came here. He served
with me in Jezza and Shengal.

“Kosta volunteered for every attack and guard duty
opportunity. He wanted nothing more than to bring the fight to
the enemy.

“I'm going to carry on your legacy brother, I will never
forget you. I love you man.

John Foxx, an American who fought alongside Scurfield in The
Lions of Rojava unit of foreign fighters within the YPG, also
paid tribute to his “brother” on Facebook.

“Words cannot describe how I feel right now … I have lost
family members, close friends, buddies in the Corps, but nothing
has hurt as much as losing one of my Chappy brothers from the
YPG.

“Hands down one of the greatest people I have ever met in my
life … I cannot even begin to describe the character of this man.
Every day, since the moment I was separated from my brothers, I
have been dreading the news I knew was going to come eventually
and it finally caught up to me. You will be avenged my
brother.”

Scurfield had reportedly been fighting in an area southwest of
the town of Tal Hamis, which Kurdish fighters seized from the
Islamic State last week. It’s thought he was hit by mortar during
a firefight with IS militants.

A photograph showing a smiling Scurfield, kneeling in the ruins
of a Syrian town alongside other fighters, also features Ashley
Johnston, 28, an Australian man who last week became the first
foreigner to die in the fight against IS.

Britain’s Foreign Office said it was difficult to confirm these
reports. It said in a statement: “We are aware of reports of
the death of a British national in Syria.

“As we do not
have any representation in Syria, it is extremely difficult to
get any confirmation of deaths or injuries, and our options for
supporting British nationals there are extremely limited.”

Around 100 Westerners are believed to have joined Kurdish forces
in Syria as well as other militia fighting against IS, including
Assyrian Christian forces in Iraq.